Charlies Angles and the Pygmy Nuthatch

Guest Author - Lisa Shea

In the 2000 release of Charlie's Angels, the secret to finding the bad guys is when Cameron Diaz identifies the sound of a "pygmy nuthatch". She claims it's only found in Carmel, California. Was this Hollywood Magic?

Bosley with the Bird

According to most birders, the bird actually seen in the movie is a Troupial (Icterus icterus). This is a South American bird that isn't found in Carmel, California, unless perhaps it escaped from a zoo! But the Troupial wasn't speaking with its own voice either. A Troupial makes loud Oriole-type noises (since it's related to the orioles) - a "cheer-to" sort of call. The sound Cameron heard was more of a warbly song.

How about the Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea)? This can be found all over the western part of the US - not just Carmel, California. And its call is a typical nuthatch call, an ank-ank-ank noise. Also not the noise Cameron heard.

Lucy Liu Encounters the Bird

It's hard to imagine how they possibly could have gotten that bright orange-and-black bird confused with this small grey-and-white bird!